Chapter 1358 – Shocking the industry
Feng Yu told them the various online novel websites’ operating models he encountered in his previous life. All these models are the surviving models after many years in the industry.
Qidian’s editors were dumbfounded after listening to Feng Yu. They did not know novel websites can be operated in so many ways.
None of them had thought of the different operating models Feng Yu mentioned. Reviews, recommendations, update notifications, tipping the writers, etc. All these will bring income to the writers, and no one had thought of it before.
They had never considered benefits for the writers, and Feng Yu labeled these benefits as insurance!
Qidian’s editors can understand recommending different novels based on the sales. But Feng Yu said the website must introduce mobile reading in the future. This mean reader can read novels on their mobile phones. All of them are stunned.
Currently, mobile phones can surf the net, but there are high data charges. The wordings are small and the data charges made reading novels very expensive.
Qidian is offering downloads to make it more convenient for readers now.
Feng Yu knows that this concept is too futuristic and the current smartphones have limited functions. In his previous life, some top-tier smartphones are faster than PCs now.
These might not be possible now, but what about ten years later? Maybe it can be achievable in five years.
Feng Yu continued to point out some areas to note. For example, they must offer the best benefits for their top writers. It’s just like an artist management company. Those superstars are getting better perks than ordinary artists.
Even if the commission for a superstar is 10%, it will be higher than other ordinary artists with 90% commission.
This will also give the top writers a sense of belonging and prevent them from being poached by other websites. These top writers must not be handled by one editor. If the editor decides to join their compet.i.tors, he might bring the writer along with him.
Lastly, they must monitor the novels closely. The quality must be there, and more importantly, it must not break the law!
Many websites publish ‘those’ types of novels, and Feng Yu also saw some on Qidian. This is not allowed as it is against the law in China.
This is allowed if the website is from other countries. In some countries, such websites are legal, but Feng Yu does not suggest them doing this as it will bring a bad reputation.
Like anti-government and violence, some sensitive topics cannot be published as they might break the law. If the higher-ups implemented some new rulings, the website would be greatly affected.
There is also no need to worry about having not enough writers or books. They can buy online publishing rights from some writers to increase their varieties.
For example, the website can publish Jin Yong’s Wuxia novels. Although Jin Yong had retired, all of his previous works are extremely popular. Huang Yi’s novel is another cla.s.sic. It can be considered the iconic representative of the transmigration novel!
They must also consider the readers. There must be one type of payment model for the readers, and multi-tier membership must be added. Like supermarkets’ membership, the paid subscribers must have discounts, and VIP members should have higher discounts.
Additional tiers should be added between ordinary members and VIPs. Topping up a certain amount into their accounts will have gifts and free upgrades to members with higher spending.
This will attract some readers to top up their accounts and raise funds for the website’s development.
Feng Yu said a lot, and the editors wrote everything down. They realized Feng Yu is a genius and respected him highly. No wonder he can become the World’s Richest Man.
……
A few online novel writers noticed a pinned thread posted on a novel forum they frequent. Qidian’s benefits for writers.
What is this? An online novel website is giving writers benefits?
Some entered the thread and found the benefits attractive. They had heard about this website introducing a paid model. Although there are not many paid readers currently, it is another form of income for them. A few writers, who had wanted to publish their novels online, signed up with Qidian after seeing their terms.
Qidian is working with many publishers, including Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and English publishers. The novels might also get adapted into movies or TV series, and authors can partic.i.p.ate in the script. Wind and Rain Games will also adapt novels into online games or hire authors to write novels based on their games.
The contract also includes an Accident Insurance policy. Although the payout is not high, it’s heartwarming to the writers. They also have many channels to get income.
Every year there will be writers gathering. The top writers will share their experiences with other writers and editors. The website will pay for all lodging, transportations, and expenses. In the future, writing courses by literature professors will be available to top writers.
All these benefits are too enticing, and some writers who were about to publish their works on another website changed their minds. They decided to publish at Qidian.
Some even cut short their current novels on other websites to start a new novel with Qidian.
These advertis.e.m.e.nts did not only appear on forums. It also appears on some popular websites, giving the writers confidence in Qidian’s influence. A company that had spent so much on advertis.e.m.e.nt should be powerful.
Lastly, Qidian released a piece of shocking news. Tai Hua Consulting is investing in them, and Tai Hua Consulting’s parent company is Tai Hua Holdings. That is Feng Yu’s company! The World’s Richest Man is investing in Qidian!
……
“What is going on? Why are those few popular writers on our website ending their novels? What about their new books? Are they going to stop writing?”
“Manager w.a.n.g, they had quit and are joining Qidian.”
“Huh? We are the No. 1 in this industry with the most readers. Why are those writers joining Qidian? I thought they do not have many subscribers with their paid model?”
“They had introduced benefits for writers and claimed some novels might be adapted into TV series, online games, and the works might be published in Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese. Writers will get a higher income, and these writers had joined them for money.”
“Can they do that? Impossible. We are the biggest in the industry, and we can’t even do these. Are they boasting?”
“I heard that Mr. Feng Yu had invested in that website. Should we offer some money to bring back those authors?”
“No need. They will realize their mistakes soon. Do you think Feng Yu, the World’s Richest Man, will invest in that pathetic website? Even if he is going to invest, he should pick us. We are the best in this industry! Some of our writers are stirring up troubles, asking us to charge on our websites now. This will teach them a lesson. They only have themselves to blame for picking the wrong path!”
Huang Yi